What if the essence of all that Jesus taught could be summarized in a few paragraphs? The Beatitudes are more than just poetic verse used to begin the Sermon on the Mount; they are the essence of Jesus' message from beginning to end. Often overlooked and/or misunderstood, these simple and familiar words establish the overall tone of Jesus' teaching ministry and provide an intimate look at his most deeply held values.

The book describes the setting, people, and perception surrounding the scene from Matthew 5 and addresses each of the eight beaitudes or blessings. The chapters...

Award-winning artist Anthony Thaxton captures the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico in this stunning book of photographs pre-dating the BP oil disaster. Complete with prayers from best-selling author Shane Stanford, The Gulf is a must-have for those who love that region.

Examine how the God of the universe uses the broken pieces of our lives to reframe our purpose, turning our discarded hopes and dreams into something beautiful and useful--a mosaic in which God uses all of the pieces.

The author says, -This journey will take us along the same path Jesus walked in the days surrounding his journey to Jerusalem. We will see the similarities to our own stories as well as the lessons we should pick, like pebbles along the path.-

This seven-session study, appropriate for both group and individual use, provides one lesson for each week in...

In a world of fast-paced schedules and priorities, conversations about what makes for a life well lived are a rarity and a luxury. But what if the daily pace of life held in itself the way to make choices more significant? What if the daily to-do lists gave a glimpse into how people might change their future? What if the daily grind, as arduous as it might seem, held the key to a life full of meaning and potential? What if everyday, simple steps, instead of some complex list of seemingly unattainable principles, showed how to make life matter?

Making Life Matter answers...

A 40-Day Lenten Devotional written by Shane Stanford and the members of Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Join us on a meaningful journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday through learning to love Jesus and to love like Jesus.

More than any other part of his ministry, Jesus' prayers inform and engage his intentions for how the gospel would change lives and affect the world. When we take time to review the moments when Jesus prayed with his disciples or went away to pray alone, we engage both a story and a set of lessons. Jesus doesn't just pray as a means to be with the Father; he uses prayer as an instructional. Discover Jesus' own hopes and desires when he prayed for us to

Have a relationship with the Father
Be shaped by God's wisdom and guidance
Be united with one another
Bring glory to...